Rockwell Gets Suspension

WASHINGTON — The Air Force suspended the Rockwell International Corp. for at least 30 days Thursday after the nation`s No. 1 federal contractor pleaded guilty to defrauding the government.

Air Force Secretary Verne Orr ordered the suspension in proposing to debar Rockwell from signing any contracts with the government, which would include the firm`s major involvement in the space shuttle program as well as being the prime contractor for the Air Force`s new B-1B bomber.

The suspension has no immediate impact on the $28 billion bomber program, an Air Force spokesman said. Three of 100 B-1Bs have been built so far.